Thread store device



July 11, 1939. M 2,165,259

- THREAD STORE DEVICE Filed March 23, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR EMERSON B. HELM ATTORNEY m V q. 1

July 11, 1939. E. BQHELM THREAD STORE DEVICE Filed Marqh 23} 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EMERSON B. HELM ATTORNEY Patented July 11, 1939 THREAD STORE DEVICE Emerson B. Helm, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application March 23, 1936, Serial No. 70,238

- 11 Claims. (01. 242-53) 'I'his,invention relates to a multiple element thread-storage, thread-advanclng device adapted to accomplish the initial winding of the threador the like over its thread-advancing elements.

Most non-unitary thread-storage, thread-advancing devices heretofore proposed have embodied a plurality of spaced thread-advancing members adapted, by axial rotation of one or .more of said spaced members, to advance the thread or the like longitudinally of said spaced members in a plurality of generally helical turns. As an example may be mentioned thread-storage, thread-advancing devices comprised of two separated, generally cylindrical members adapted, usually by being mounted with their axes inaskew relationship, to cause thread or the like wound about said generally cylindrical members to progress longitudinally thereof in the form of an advancing helix. While such thread-storage, thread-advancing devices operate satisfactorily after the thread or the like has been initially wound thereabout, most, if not all, thread-storage, thread-advancing devices of this type must be threaded up by hand; i. e., the thread or the like must at the outset be .wound by hand in the desired number of generally helicalturns. Labor costs are therefore excessive, particularly where a a large number of such thread-storage, threadadvancing devices must'be threaded up or where, even if their number is less great, the threadstorage, thread-advancing devices are of considerable length, especially since such devices must be threaded up every time the continuity of the thread or the like is interrupted.

The present invention makes possible, among other things, a thread-storage, thread-advancing device comprising a plurality of ofiset threadadvancing members, which may, if desired, be

wholly separate, adapted to advance the thread or the like longitudinally thereof during normal operation of the device, but further adapted by mechanical means operating non-concurrently and independently thereof Y to'* accomplish the initial winding of the thread or the like in a plu- "rality of spaced, generally helical turns about I the device as a whole. The latter desideratum may be accomplished according to the present invention by rotating the thread-advancing members and supporting frame as a unit about an axis substantially parallel to such members, meanwhile causing a relative movement in a'direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation-between the rotating unit and the point at which the thread or the like is supplied to the device.

A typical two-element thread-storage, thread- 4-4 of Figure 1.

trative embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of one form of thread- 15 storage, thread-advancing device-together with its associated apparatus, parts being broken away for the sake of clearness. Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus of Figure 1. Figure 3 is'a sec-' tional elevation from line 3-3 of Figure 1 of the same apparatus. Figure 4 is a similar elevation of the other end of the apparatus from line Figure 5 is a plan of a modifled form of thread-storage, thread-advancing device likewise embodying the invention. y

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the thread I is caused to advance longitudinally of two parallel, generally cylindrical members 2 and 3 by rotation of each about its own axis. To insure a positive ad- 30 vance of the threads, one or both of the generally cylindrical members 2, 3 may be provided with parallel circumferential grooves 4', through which grooves the threadpasses in its; generally helical path about the generally cylindrical members 2 35 and 3. The distance between 'adjacentgrooves;

i. e,, the pitch .of the grooves, may, as in the. 5 i

thread-storage, thread-advancing device illustrated, be equal to the pitch desired in the helix formed byadjacentturns. of thread, It will be 6 understood that the thread does not pass from a given groove in one member to.a groove immediately above or below it in the-other memher, but to a' groove laterally offset therefrom. In the. embodiment illustrated, the generally 5 cylindrical members- 2 and 3 are rotatably disposed in a frame 5 mounted for rotation about axially of a hollow shaft |3-rotatably .mounted 55 shaped surface l8. Frame member 5 is provided with a key l9 secured against endwise motion in .drive shaft 35. in the apparatus shown comprises a fork il,

frame member I, which key IQ, of length sumcient to enable it to fit in groove ii, is adapted to slide in keyway It.

The other frame member 3 is supported on the stationary shaft 3 and is provided with dogs 2i adapted to engage the screw-thread 22 cut on' the stationary shaft 6. Suitable means for disengaging the dogs 2! from the screw-thread 22 may be provided. Thus in the apparatus illustrated the dogs 2!, positioned in slots 23 formed in the hub 23 of the member 8, are provided with pins 25 which project into slots 26 formed in a member 27 rotatably mounted on the hub 24 of frame member 3 and held thereonby a retaining plate 28. 'When member 21 is turned with respect to frame member 8, as by means of handle 29, to a position such as that indicated bythe broken lines 21' in Figure 4, the suitably shaped slots 26 therein force outward the pins 25 and consequently the dogs 2|, thus disengaging the dogs 2| from the screw-thread 22. Suitable means may be provided, if desired, for keeping the dogs 2! in a normal engagedposition, as the spring 30 pressing against member 21.

In the apparatus shown, the generally cylindri- I cal members 2 and 3 are rotated by pinions 3|, driven through intermediate gears 32 from a gear 33 rigidly mounted on sleeve l2, which, as has been mentioned, is mounted for rotation with the hollow shaft [3 as by a key 34 in the keyway IS in hollow shaft l3. Hollow shaft I3 is rotated by a helical gear l4 mounted thereon engaging a helical gear l5 mounted for rotation with a drive shaft 35 which may, if desired, drive a plurality of similar thread-storage, thread-advancing devices, and which may be driven by any suitable source of power. Any suitable means for disconnecting the thread-storage, thread-advancing device from the drive shaft 35 may be provided.

In the illustrated embodiment, this comprises a cone clutch member 36 keyed to shaft 35 and adapted to engage an internal conical surface 31 in the hub of the helical gear l5, which may bear against a support 38. The clutch member 36 is normally held in engagement with the surface 31 by spring 39, which bears against the clutch member 36 and a stop 40 mounted on the The clutch disengaging means which is adapted to bear against a. collar 42 on the clutch member 33. Fork 4| is actuated through lever 43 by a rod 44 which extends to the front of the apparatus, being provided with a handle 45 conveniently accessible to the operator. When the handle 45 is pulled out, the rod 44-causes the fork 4| to bear against the collar 42 on the clutch member 36, thus forcing it against spring 39 out of engagement with the clutch surface 31. Rod 44 may be provided with a stop 46 which may bear against a stop 41 mounted on the frame of the machine when the rod 44 is pulled out, thus holding the clutch in its disengaged position.

The thread-storage,' thread-advancing device is shown in its normal operating position .in Figamazes ures l and 2. When it is in this position, and the clutch members 33 and 371 are engaged, the hollow shaft l3 is-caused to rotate. However, since the key i9 is in the groove ill, the frame member 1, and consequently the frame 5, is not caused to rotate with the shaft 83, but remains stationary, being retained in the vertical position shown by a suitable stop 43. The sleeve l2, however, being provided with a key 34 which engages that portion of the keyway Hi to the left of the groove ill in Figure l, is caused to rotate by the hollow shaft I3, and the .gear 33 rigidly mounted on ,sleeve l2 rotates therewith. As a result, both of the generally cylindrical members 2 and 3 are caused to rotate in the same angular direction, each about its own axis, from gear 33 through the gears 32 and 3!.

The thread I, which is continuously supplied from a suitable source as through a fixed guide 43 positioned opposite the thread-receiving ends of the generally cylindrical members 2 and 3 when they are in this normal operating position, which thread has previously been wound in a plurality of spaced, generally helical turns about the generally cylindrical members 2 and. 3, is therefore continuously advanced axially of said generally cylindrical members, the grooves 4 preventing any axial slip of the thread with respect to said generally cylindrical members. In the device shown the thread I is discharged from the other end of one of the generally cylindrical members, being passed through guide 50.

Assuming, however, that the thread-storage, thread-advancing device is in the position shown in Figure 1, that no thread is wound about the generally cylindrical members, and that it is desired to initially wind the thread about said generally cylindrical members, the operator, by pu ll- 'ing out handle 45, first disengages the clutch members 36 and 31. The clutch members are retained in this disengaged position for the time being as by the previously mentioned stops 46 and 41'. The hollow shaft l3 therefore stops rotating. By turning handle 29 clockwise in Figure 4, the operator then disengages .the dogs II from the screw-thread 22 on the stationary shaft 6,and,. after rotating the'frame 5 as a unit about the hollow shaft l3 until the key 19 is in alignment with the keyway 16, the operator is enabled to draw the unit comprising frame 5 and generally cylindrical members 2 and 3 forward, or to the right in Figure 1, to some position as that indicated by the dotted lines 2', 3 and 5.

The handle 29, which is fastened to the member 21, which latter member is held on the frame 5 by means of a retaining plate 28, may be used .for this operation of rotating and drawing forward the frame 5. The position indicated by broken lines 2', 3' and 5 is preferably such that the thread discharge ends of the generally cylindrical members 2 and 3 are at the point occupied by the thread-receiving ends of said generally cylindrical members when they are in the normal operating position; i. e., opposite the thread-supply guide 49. In the apparatus shown, this position is determined by contact of the retaining plate 28 and the supporting member 5|.

The operator is then free to start the leading end of the thread, which has been passed through the guide 49, on the thread-storage,.thread-advancing device as by winding it roughly for afew turns around one of the generally cylindrical they may be mounted at any convenient point;

is released after the unit has been drawn forward, since the spring 38 forces the member 21 into the position ,in which the dogs 2I engage the screw-thread 22.- When the clutch members 38 and 31 are engaged by releasing the rod 44, the

hollow shaft I3 is caused to rotate, and, since the key I9 of frame member I is positioned in the erally cylindrical members 2 and 3 and the frame 5 at one point in the path of rotation. However, in the apparatus shown, since the unit rotates at the same angular speed as the gear 33, thereis no rotation of the generally cylindrical members 2 and 3 with respect to the frame 5.

The dogs 2], being engaged with the screwthread 22, cause the unit to advance during the aforementioned rotation thereof. Consequently,

since the thread is continuously supplied from a fixed point, i. e., guide 49, the thread is caused to wind about both generally cylindrical membars in a plurality of spaced, generally helical turns. It is obvious that the pitch of the screwthread 22 determines the pitch of the generally helical turns being thus initially wound about the generally cylindrical members 2 and 8; therefore, if grooves 4 are provided to guide the thread, the pitch of the grooves 4 should preferably bear suitable relationship to that of the screw thread 22.

As the frame 5 is-thus progressed axially of the rotating hollow shaft I3, the key 34 of the sleeve I2 and key IQ of frame member I progress in the keyway I8 from right to left in Figure 1.

As frame member approaches the grooveI'I-in the hollow shaft I3, the key 34 of sleeve I2 crosses'the groove I! and enters the portion thereof on the other side of the groove I'I, since the key 34 is longer than the width of groove I1. Immediately after the key I9 passes into groove H the edge 52 of the key .I 9, after leaving the keyway I6, bears against the cam surface I8 of groove I I, assuming the previously mentioned direction of rotation of the unit.

. However, although the unit momentarily loses speed until the edge 52 bears against the cam surface I8, the unit is also advanced by the screw-thread 22.

The key I8 is thus again advanced out of contact with the cam surface I8 and again loses speed until the edge 52 of the key I9 again contacts the cam surface I8, the process being re- I9 and the cam surface I8 increase as the unit I I advances and the edge 52 progresses along the cam.. Thus by a suitable design of the cam'surface I8 it' is possible to decelerate the unit to a low speed of rotation as it reaches the flat part of the cam surface I8. 1

It is therefore a simple matter to stop the rotation of the unit by suitable means, such as a stop or spring catch 48 which comprises a suitably shaped spring member'having a re-entrant portion 53 adapted to engage one of the projecting studs 54 mounted on the frame member 'I asit passes the stop 48. While, inthe'apparatus shown, the studs 54 are formed on the ends of the shafts supporting the intermediate gears 83,

likewise, while either of the studs in the apparatus shown may engage the stop 48, it is possible to provide only one stud so that the unit will come to rest with a certain one of the generally cylindrical members 2 or-3 at the lowermost position.- It is apparent that, as the unit ceases rotating at the same angular speed as that of the hollow shaft I8, the generally'cylindrical members 2' and 3 start rotating,- and when the unit ceases rotating entirely, the said generally cylindrical members rotate attheir normal operating speed- The leading end of the thread can then be picked off the generally cylindrical member on which it was started and passed to whatever succeeding device is provided. The thread-storage, thread-advancing device is now in the normal operating position previously described.

The thread-storage, thread-advancing device illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 is shown as provided with apparatus for applying several liquid processing treatments to the thread stored GIT the thread-storage, thread-advancing device. The processing apparatus illustrated includes a plurality of reagent distributors associated with each generally cylindrical member and so positioned with respect thereto that, when the generally cylindrical member is at the bottom, as is generally cylindrical member 3 in Figure 1, the associated reagent distributors will be above said generally cylindrical member. In the embodiment shown four reagent distributors, bearing reference numerals 55 to 58 inclusive, are provided, from each of which a different processing liquid is supplied to the generally cylindrical member below, thus treating the thread carried thereby. As an example, if the thread supplied to the thread-storage, thread-advancing device through guide 48 is newly formed viscose artificial silk thread which is drawn from a coagulating bath, the processing liquid supplied from reagent distributor 55 may be'a desulphurizing liquid, that supplied from the distributor 56 may be a washing liquid, that supplied from distributor 51 .may be a bleaching liquid while that supplied from distributor 58 may be another washing liquid. I r

The supply pipes 59 to 62, inclusive, for the distributors may be suitably mounted in the frame 5 as shown and may also support said reagent distributors. The processing liquids may be shown supplied to the pipes 59 to 62, inclusive, in various manners; in that shown the processing liquid is supplied to each pipe from a flexible tube 64, one of which is shown connected to reagent supply pipe 8|. These flexible tubes may be adapted to be'readily disconnected from the supply pipes when it is desired to thread up the thread-storage, thread-advancing device and may be re-connected when the device is in the normal operating position. While a complete set of reagent distributors and supply pipes therefor is shown for each generally cylindrical member, it is obvious that if, as has been mentioned, provision is made for causing a certain one of the generally'cylindrical members to stop in the lower-most position only, this generally cylindrical member need be provided with reagent distributors and supply pipes therefor.

Below the lowermost generally cylindrical ating position, may be provided a suitable trough which may be divided by partition 88 into .member, assuming it to be in its normal 'opera plurality of separate compartments to it inclusive. Each compartment, of which one is shown provided for each processing liquid applied to the thread, may be provided with means for draining the liquid collected therein such as a pipe '82 which may communicate with the sewer if a processing liquid such as wash water, which it is desired to use only once, is collected in the compartment; but the pipe 52 may, if desired, communicate with recirculating and make-up systems in connection with the corresponding reagent distributor if it is desired to re-use the" processing liquid. of course, if there is used a multiplicity of suitably arranged thread-storage, thread-advancing devices on each of which the same processing liquid is applied to the thread, it may be possibleto provide reagent collecting and supply systems common to a plurality of thread-storage, thread-advancing devices in such an arrangement. I

The circumferential grooves on the peripheries of the generally cylindrical members 2 and 3 are of assistance in preventing any travel of the processing liquids axially of the generally cylindrical members, preventingmixing. of the processing liquids.

While in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the generally cylindrical members 2 and 3 are shown in parallel relationship, being aided by the grooves t in causing an axial advance of the thread wound about the generally cylindrical members 2 and 3, it is obvious that the generally cylindrical members may be mounted in other relationships. For instance, they may be mounted in askew relationship, as are the generally cylindrical members 2a and 3a shown in plan in Figure 5. When the generally cylindrical members are mounted in this relationship, they are also adapted to advance thread wound about the generally cylindrical members in a plurality of spaced, generally helical turns in the usual fashion. Since there is no tendency for axial sliding of the thread when such an arrangement of the generally cylindrical members is employed, it may not be necessary to provide the aforementioned circumferential grooves t.

As in the previous embodiment, the generally cylindrical members maybe driven by gears 3|. However, because of the askew mounting of the generally cylindrical .members in this embodiment, it is desirable to use some arrangement for driving the members from the gears 30 similar to that shown in connection with generally cylindrical member 2a, which comprises a driving member 13 mounted on the shaft it which is driven by gear 35. The driving member 13 may be provided with one or more pins 75 which drive the generally cylindrical member Ed by contact of the pins 15 with the walls of the holes or slots 16 formed in the end plate 71 of the generally cylindrical member 2a.. Otherwise, the device shown in plan in Figure 5 may be similar to, and

operate in, the same manner as that previously described.

It is obvious that various modifications may be invention may be-employed in connection with thread-storage, thread-advancing devices for other purposes without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention. Whereas, for instance, in the above apparatus the thread-advancing elements comprise two spaced, rotatable generally cylindrical members, the invention may also be employed in connection with thread-storgreases age, thread-advancing devices comprising more than two spaced thread-advancing members or in connection with thread storage, thread-advancing devices comprising a plurality of spaced thread-advancing members only one of which is rotatable. Likewise, it is obvious that the invention-is not restricted to devices for advancing thread; indeed, devices embodying the invention may be employed to wind and advance lengths of any material capable of so being handled, and the term thread" in the appended claims is intended to include, besides thread, any such articles. Likewise, in the claims, the term guide" is intended to mean the point from which the thread is supplied to the device.

It is intended that the patent shall cover by suitable explanation in the appended claims whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention. I

What is claimed is:

. l. A'threadstorage, thread-advancing device comprising, in combination, a normally stationary frame; spaced thread-advancing members extending lengthwise of'each other and supported by said frame; means operating on one or more of said spaced thread-advancing members to cause them to cooperate to advance in a plurality of spaced generally helical turns thread wound about said spaced thread-advancing members; a guide from which thread is supplied to the thread-storage, thread-advancing device; and mechanism for initially winding the thread about said spaced thread-advancing members, said mechanism comprising means for rotating said frame about an axis extending generally longitudinally of said spaced thread-advancing members and means for causing during rotation of said frame a relative movement between said frame and said guide in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of said frame.

2. A thread-storage, thread-advancing device comprising, in combination, a normally stationary frame; spaced generally cylindrical members extending lengthwise of each other and supported by said frame adapted, by rotation thereof about their own axes, to advance in a plurality of spaced generally helical turns thread wound about said spaced generally cylindrical members; a guide from which thread is supplied to said threadstorage, thread-advancing device; and mechanism for initially winding the thread about said spaced generally cylindrical members in a plurality of generally helical turns, said mechanism comprising means for rotating said frame about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the axes of said spaced generally cylindrical members and means for causing during rotation of said frame a relative movement between said frame and said guide in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of said frame.

3. A thread-storage, thread-advancing device comprising, in combination, a normally stationary frame; spaced thread-advancing members extending lengthwise of each other and supported by said frame; means operating on one or more of said spaced thread-advancing members to cause them to cooperate to advance in a plurality of generally helical turns thread wound about said spaced thread-advancing members; a stationary guide from which thread is supplied to the threadadvancing device; and mechanism for initially winding the thread about said spaced thread-advancing members in a plurality of generally helical turns, said mechanism comprising means for rotating said frame about an axis extending generally longitudinally of said spaced threadrotated about an axis extending generally longiadvancing members and means for advancing said frame in relation to said stationary guide in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of said frame during rotation of said frame.

4. A thread-storage, thread-advancing device comprising a frame; a plurality of thread-advancing members offset from and extending lengthwise of each other supported by said frame; means operating on one or more of said threadadvancing members to cause them to cooperate during normal operation of said thread-storage, thread-advancing device to advance iif'a plurality of spaced generally helical turns thread that has previously been wound about said thread-advanc M ing members; a source from which thread or the like is supplied to said thread-storage, threadadvancing device; and means functioning nonconcurrently with and independently of the normal thread-advancing operation of said threadstorage, thread-advancing device for winding the thread about said thread-advancingmembers, said means including means providing relative rotary movement between said source andssaid frame about an axis extending generally longitudinally of said thread-advancing members.

5. A thread-storage, thread-advancing device comprising a frame; a plurality of thread-advancing members offset from and extending lengthwise of each other supported by said frame;

means operating on one or more of said threadadvancing members to cause them to cooperate to advance in a-plurality of spaced generally helical turns thread wound about said threadadvancing members; a source from which thread is supplied to said thread-storage, thread-advancing device; means providing relative rotary movement between said source and said frame about an axis of revolution extending generally longitudinally of said thread-advancing members and disposed within the figure defined by the thread wound about said thread-advancing members; and means providing relative translatory movement substantially parallel to said axis of revolution between said source and said threadadvancing members. 1

6. A thread-storage, thread-advancing device comprising a frame; a plurality of thread-adthread-advancing members.

'7. A thread-storage, thread-advancing device comprising thread-advancing members offset from and extending lengthwise of each other;

means operating onone or more of said thread-v advancing members to cause them to cooperate during normal operation of said thread-storage, thread-advancing device to advance in a plurality of spaced generally helical turns thread that has previously been wound about said threadadvancing members; a frame supporting said thread-advancing. members andadapted to be tudinally of said thread-advancing members; and means for winding the thread about'said thread-advancing members during rotation of said frame.

8. A thread-storage, thread-advancing device comprising. a plurality of generally cylindrical members offset fromand extending lengthwise of each other and adapted by rotation thereof about their own axes during normal operation 0 of said thread-storage. thread-advancing device to advance in a plurality of spaced generally cylindrical turns thread that has previously been wound about said generally cylindrical members a frame supporting said generally cylindrical 5 members and adapted to be rotated about an axis extendinggenerally longitudinally of said generally cylindrical members; and means for winding the thread about said generally cylindrical members during rotation of said frame. 9. A thread-storage, thread-advancing devicecomprising a plurality of generally cylindrical members disposed in askew relation to each other and adapted, during normal operation of said thread-storage, thread-advancing device,- to be rotated about their own axes; a frame supporting said generally cylindrical members and adapted-to be rotated about an axis extending longitudinally of said generally cylindrical members; and means for winding the thread about 39 said generally cylindrical members during rotation of said frame. I

10. A thread-storage, thread-advancing device comprising a frame; a plurality of oflset generally cylindrical members adapted by rotation thereof about their own axes during normal operation of the thread-storage, thread-advancing. device to advance in a plurality of spaced generally cylindrical turns thread that has previously been 7 wound about said generally cylindrical members; 0

a source from which thread 'or the like is supp1iedto said thread-storage, thread-advancing device; and means functioning nonconcurrently with and independently of the normal thread-advancing 9 operation of said thread-storage, thread-advanc- 4i ing device for winding the thread about said generally cylindrical members, said means including means providing relative rotary move-. ment between said source and said frame about an axis extending generally longitudinally of said 60 generally cylindrical members and disposed within the flguredefined by the. thread wound about said generally cylindrical members.

11. A thread-,-storage, thread-advancing device comprising a frame; aplurality of generally cylindrical members rotatably mounted on said frame with their axes in askew relation to each other, said generally cylindrical members being adapted to rotate about their own axes to advance in a plurality of generally cylindrical turns thread 00 woundabout said generally cylindrical members;

a sourcefrom which thread or the like is supplied to said thread-storage, thread-advancing device; and means functioning nonconcurrently with and independently of the normal thread- 66 advancing operation. of said thread-storage, thread-advancing device for winding the thread about said generally cylindrical members, sai i means including means providing relative rotary movement between said source and said frame 10 about an axis extending generally longitudinally of said generally cylindrical members.

- EMERSON B. HELM. 

